21 replies to this topic

[Neo]

I was watching News 14 this morning before I headed to work and heard them talking about the budget that was passed last night.  One item that was passed in particular really made my day!  They unanimously voted to approve $3.2 million (Mecklenburg county will also chip in the same amount) for the redevelopment of the old Charlotte Convention Center.  Here is the article from News 14:


"After weeks of debate, the Charlotte City Council approved a budget Monday night.

But the unanimous vote did not come without its share of controversy.

The voting process was stalled when Councilwoman Susan Burgess tried to restore $300,000 for training and retention of city employees. Burgess said the money was needed to maintain public safety.

“We need to do what we’re elected to do, and that’s take care of basic services,” Burgess said. “We’re not, and we know that.

Also on Monday night, the City Council unanimously approved $3.2 million for a plan to redevelop the old convention center.  
“We have the money, and we ought to spend it.”

Burgess’ suggestion sparked an hour-long debate that got heated at times. Mayor Pat McCrory was visibly unhappy that the budget might be coming unglued after a compromise had already been reached.

“This is not the way we should do the budget -- on the final night,” McCrory said. “We have been making decisions for the last three months -- starting out with our retreats -- where we have made other priorities over some of the issues that have been talked about.”

Burgess’ last-second amendment was voted down, but McCrory said this is the first time he has seen such controversy and debate on the final night.

City approves money for entertainment complex

Also on Monday night, the Council unanimously approved $3.2 million for a plan to redevelop the old convention center.

Spectrum Properties wants to turn the building into an entertainment complex with a bowling alley, restaurants and bars.

Mecklenburg County has also agreed to chip in $3.2 million.

Council decides to ‘Stop the Funding’

One organization not included in this year's budget is “Stop the Killing.”

For more than a decade, the Rev. James Barnett has headed the organization, which is aimed at reducing crime and violence in Charlotte neighborhoods. But he recently was arrested and accused of soliciting a prostitute.

City leaders said the charge contributed to their decision to drop the funding."


My question is what else got passed/did not get passed that is of the same magnitude as this project?

[uptownliving]

Well the budget was over $1 Billion...I am sure there is a lot that was included///not included for 2005.

[Neo]

Definately was a lot included and not included for 2005, but I was just wondering what projects made it or did not make it that were of major impact such as the old convention center project.

[appatone]

I'm also curious about what was given to the ASC.  I wonder if they discussed that last night or if somthing that large will be discussed seperatly.  It's such a high profile subject it should have been covered somewhere if it was discussed last night.  I'll check the ASC page.

[uptownliving]

Highlights of Capitol Projects for Charlotte 2005...these got approved..this is money to be spent JUST in 2005

$262M for CATS inlcuding:

$45M Bus Garage on S Tryon
$4.2M Trolley Barn on South Blvd
$125K Uptown Transit Center Paint Job
$4.6M for new CATS buses
$193M for South Light Rail line
$2M Uptown StreetCar planning
$2M study to expand CATS into Cabarrus and Union County
$14M for South Blvd improvments to prepare for Light Rail

$109M for CLT Airport including:

$4M to expand Ramp E at CLT Airport
$14M to start constuction on 3rd Parallel Runway at CLT Airport
$11M to relocate Wallace Neal Road (this is where the runway is going)
$16M CLT Airport De-Icing Facility
$2M Renovate Baggage Claim at CLT Airport
$10.2M to continue new CLT Parking Deck Construction
$4.6M to start  Concourse E expansion
$4.5M to expand West side of Terminal Building
$200K start construction on new Airport Entrance Road

$78M in Water System expansions

$171 in Sewer expansions inlcuding:
$53M expansion of McDowell Plant
$60M in new Sewer Lines


You will notice there is no money in 2005 for any Cultural Facility Improvments.

[uptownliving]

What was cut in this years Operating budget?

Here are some highlights:

$71,224 is reduced in various miscellaneous cuts throughout the Police department including postponement of
paid intern program, elimination of business cards for patrol officers, and reduction in travel.

$100,000 is reduced in I-277 contract maintenance by Engineering and Property Management’s Landscape
Management division for support of weed and shrub trimming and mowing, which will contribute to a negative
visual appearance of the roadway.

$50,000 is reduced in sign and pavement marking materials inventory decreasing the Traffic Operations
division’s flexibility to respond to unplanned events.

$864,690 is reduced from Finance’s Revenue Division due to the transfer of customer service functions to the
new Customer Service Division in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Utilities.

$10,000 is reduced in the Mayor and Council budget by holding the Council’s retreat in town.

And here are some highlights of what was increased:::

$1,700,000 has been restored to Police’s budget. Previously reduced as part of the FY03 budget reduction, it was
achieved by holding approximately 53 police officer positions vacant, the equivalent of two recruit classes. Police
was scheduled to reduce their FY05 salaries by $303,000. That reduction has also been restored.

$860,000 is added to replace one of two Airport Rescue firefighting trucks that are in poor mechanical condition.
100% of the funding for this replacement firefighting truck will be provided through the Aviation Department,
utilizing federal grants and Airport user fees.

$300,000 is added to partially cover increased fuel cost in Police.

$148,147 is added to Business Support Services Information Technology Division to fund annual building rent costs
for the new off-site Disaster Recovery Data Center.

$75,000 is added in FY05 to the City’s contribution to the Arts & Science Council to fund the Children’s Theatre
building maintenance expenses for their new facility.

$16,000 (offset by transfer of funds from other departments) is added to fund a document imaging system that will
allow users on-line access to Council agendas, minutes, contracts, and other information.

[Neo]

That's a wealth of information!  Thanks so much for posting this uptownliving!  Very good information indeed.

[monsoon]

[uptownliving]

I assume you are talking about the old Convention Center rehab....the County Commision did just vote to support the old Convention Center rehab. Construction will start this summer...so by Fall 2005 downtown Charlotte will have a Cineplex and Bowling Alley.

[monsoon]

[uptownliving]

[Neo]

This project is really going to have a major impact in that area.  That particular side of town seems to be where the boom is starting to hit.  I just hope the area attracts more high-rise structures to give Charlotte's downtown more depth instead of being along just a street or two.

[Nostyle]

Towers are great and all, but what this will be is another reason to go Uptown...leading to more streetlife.  That's where we'll really see the effect of this.

There are a number of things going on that will dramatically increase pedestrian traffic uptown.  We should be as thrilled by these as we are by having a couple of towers announced...

-yes, the condo towers and other residential projects will mean more people
-J&W, nearly 3000 more people Uptown
-the arena...event nights will be great for uptown
-ImaginOn...will add some traffic, although not to the extent of some of these projects

[monsoon]

[uptownliving]

From what I understand, they plan to use the structural skeleton of the current building and build off of that, including the parking deck below. If you look closely you can see a light blue car on Trade St turning right into the complex where the parking deck is.

[Nostyle]

This rendering shows the slope of Trade Street and the entrance to the parking deck:

[Neo]

I haven't seen the Trade St. rendering before.  This is definately something new for Charlotte if they carry on with this design.  It's very "busy"

[ElGobernador]

Well, I just hope this will inspire the Omni to do something with that HUGE blank wall of theirs on College.  I don't care if it's a mural of dancing monkeys, do something with it, please!

[uptownliving]

lol....that is true the Omni does need to do something with that blank wall.

[appatone]

The Omni does have that entrance on College and Trade.  Perhaps they will do a little renovating to make that entrance more of a feature instead of just a valet area.  I wonder if that big concrete wall is structurally nescessary or can changes that are more than cosmetic be made?  Something should be done though.  I also think Founders Hall could beef up it's College St. entrance.